THE TRAGEDY OF SPAIN.

White Ribbon, Volume 43, Issue 513, 18 July 1938, Page 5

THE TRAGEDY OF SPAIN.

The tragedy of a war lies not so much in those who die, but in those who live, the inefaceable memories of horrors vivid in their minds forever This month (July) is the second anniversary of one of the most shocking wars of history. A beautiful country hallowed with tradition and the most glorious buildings in the world has been razed to mins and desolation. A charming. happy people have been rendered destitute and homeless and a million helpless children are now dependent on the charity of the world To-day in Spain there are 55,000 war orphans and this number is increasing at the rate of seventy each day. Charitable organisations and volun tarv helpers have established refugee colonies where possible and while safety from the air and shells is in a measure guaranteed, these unfortunate* are still faced with the foes of starvation and cold. The great need in Spain to-dav is for food and warm clothing In several instances an entire family has been found to have been sharing one solitary threadbare blanket amongst them. In Catalonia, 10,000 children are being supported in one colony. Similar settlements have been established in Murcia, Burgos, etc. Less than a year ago, a thousand orphaned childien gravitated to a valley near Santander and there starved one by one until the Friends' Service Council discovered the two hundred survivors and moved them to one of their settlements. In the Asturias, eight hundred chil dren set out on a fiftv-mile trek to the nearest settlement. Less than half arrived at their destination. The other* - died on the way. Countless instances almost too terrible to relate have deepened what is already a shocking tragedy It is in our power to alleviate a little of this terrible suffering. All humanity owes a duty to the starving, homeless children of Spain We in New Zealand must rlo our bit The charity and openhandedness of New Zealanders Is well known abroad, and no worthier cause has ever been brought to our noticeNew Zealand aims at £IO,OOO, which will guarantee food and warm clothing

for homeless children who without such licln would surelv die The smallest contribution may mean life for a baby. Subscriptions mav be sent to your City Treasurer.